U.S. patent number 6,308,023 [Application Number 09/596,293] was granted by the patent office on 2001-10-23 for image apparatus having a multiple number of different functional modes.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Kouki Fukuda, Tatsuo Nomura.
United States Patent |
6,308,023 |
Nomura , et al. |
October 23, 2001 |
Image apparatus having a multiple number of different functional
modes
Abstract
An imaging apparatus has a display device which displays the
information item as to image magnification conversion with a key
set for setting the condition as to the magnification conversion in
the approximately central area in the background frame. Further,
the information item as to image density conversion with a key set
for setting the condition as to the image density conversion in the
approximately lower left area in the background frame. Arranged
further in the approximately upper left area in the background
frame are keys for commanding image processes including a duplex
mode key and an edition mode key. The information items with key
sets are adapted to be depicted with a color which is modified as
to brightness and/or chroma from the green hue of the background
frame.
Inventors: |
Nomura; Tatsuo (Soraku-gun,
JP), Fukuda; Kouki (Nara, JP) |
Assignee: |
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Osaka,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
16004259 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/596,293 |
Filed: |
June 16, 2000 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 22, 1999 [JP] |
|
|
11-175903 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
399/81 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
1/00352 (20130101); H04N 1/00384 (20130101); H04N
1/00397 (20130101); H04N 1/00408 (20130101); H04N
1/00413 (20130101); H04N 1/00416 (20130101); H04N
1/00432 (20130101); H04N 1/00474 (20130101); H04N
1/00477 (20130101); H04N 1/00482 (20130101); H04N
1/32496 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04N
1/00 (20060101); H04N 1/32 (20060101); G03G
015/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;399/82,81 ;345/173 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lee; Susan S. Y.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dike, Bronstein, Roberts &
Cushman IP Group Conlin; David G. Tucker; David A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An imaging apparatus for imaging in a multiple number of
different functional modes, comprising:
a display portion having an information display portion for
displaying information as to imaging in each functional mode;
an imaging portion for imaging based on the information displayed
in the information display portion; and
a display control portion for controlling the information display
portion so that the information as to imaging in each functional
mode will be displayed with a hue different from that in the other
functional modes while the display is depicted with a color which
is modified as to, at least, brightness or chroma with respect to
the hue;
wherein the information display portion displays the information as
to the imaging conditions in each functional mode so that they can
be selected and the contents of the selected conditions can be
confirmed.
2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the
apparatus is in a state where imaging can be effected in multiple
different functional modes, the display control portions controls
the information display portion so as to provide, at least, display
guidances being a part of the information as to each of the
different functional modes with the associated color.
3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
information display portion for each functional mode, at least,
includes a basic information display group for displaying basic
information for imaging and a special information display group for
displaying special information, and the display control portion
controls the information display portion so that the basic
information display group is depicted with an intense color while
the special information display group is depicted with non-intense
color.
4. An imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
information display portion for each functional mode is, at least,
composed of a basic information display group for displaying basic
information for imaging and a special information display group for
displaying special information in a background color, and the
display control portion controls the information display portion so
that the basic information display group is depicted with a color
having a large color difference from the background color while the
special information display group is depicted with a color having a
small difference from the background color.
5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
information display portion for each functional mode is at least,
composed of a basic information display group for displaying basic
information for imaging and a special information display group for
displaying special information, and the display control portion
controls the information display portion so that the basic
information display group is depicted with an intense color while
the special information display group is depicted with a
non-intense color.
6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
information display portion for each functional mode is, at least,
composed of a basic information display group for displaying basic
information for imaging and a special information display group for
displaying special information in a background color, and the
display control portion controls the information display portion so
that the basic information display group is depicted with a color
having a large color difference from the background color while the
special information display group is depicted with a color having a
small color difference from the background color.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus capable of
performing imaging in a plurality of modes.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
There have been high-functional and high-performance copiers
developed in response to the market's demands, while there may
occur the problem of such a machine being difficult for those who
rarely use it to understand how to use because of the machine
complexity.
There have been proposed a variety of multi-functional machines
which, in addition to copy mode, have a multiple number of
operation modes such as facsimile mode, printer mode, scanner mode,
etc., and which allow the user to select a desired mode from the
multiple modes and run the machine in the selected imaging mode.
Machines of this kind should be provided as easy handling ones but
they are generally hard to handle because of their high
performances.
Under such circumstances, some recently commercialized copiers use
a large display device in the control panel so as to provide
careful and close guidance in the procedural job orders using
pictorial representations with messages.
Such a configuration is able to provide understandable guidance for
the user by displaying information with pictures and messages
relating to the machine in the large display so as to allow the
user to handle the machine without any concern. However, when a
large display portion is used to provide many pieces of guidance
information, the tonal representation has a limit because the
display screen is monochrome, hence there is a limit to providing
readily understandable guidance display of all the modes and
functions.
A technology has been disclosed by the applicant hereof in Japanese
Patent Application Laid-Open Hei 11 No.15400 wherein a largish LCD
panel is provided on a control panel so that the external outline
of the main apparatus with peripheral devices is displayed in the
approximately center thereof with the machine related information
displayed around the outline and once the machine has changed in
its mode, image information with messages to be given to the user
will be displayed in a successively transitional manner so as to
provide guidance.
However, the more understandable the guidance display, the more
detailed information needs to be prepared. Hence, the display image
information becomes bulky though the machine as a product has high
enough operativity. Since the levels of users may be unequal, there
is a fear that some users may keep the machine itself at a distance
because the information given by the monochrome display is still
not enough to understand how to use.
Disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Hei 10 No.105001
is a copier having a multi-job mode which is provided with a color
display device. However, this apparatus has a reservation copy
function and provides only the guidance display of the contents of
the reservation copy mode on the color display device by using a
different color for each reservation copy mode and will not handle
bulk display image information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to solve the above problem it is therefore an object of
the present invention to provide an imaging apparatus which is
capable of providing guidance information of the operations readily
understandable to the user by using a color display device as an
information display means.
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is
configured as follows:
In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, an
imaging apparatus for imaging in a multiple number of different
functional modes, includes: a display portion having an information
display portion for displaying information as to imaging in each
functional mode; an imaging portion for imaging based on the
information displayed in the information display portion; and a
display control portion for controlling the information display
portion so that the information as to imaging in each functional
mode will be displayed with a hue different from that in other
functional modes while the display is depicted with a color which
is modified as to, at least, brightness or chroma with respect to
the hue.
In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, an
imaging apparatus is characterized in that the information display
portion displays the information as to the imaging conditions in
each functional mode so that they can be selected and the contents
of the selected conditions can be confirmed.
In accordance with the third aspect of the present invention, an
imaging apparatus is characterized in that when the apparatus is in
a state where imaging can be effected in multiple different
functional modes, the display control portion controls the
information display portion so as to provide, at least, display
guidances being a part of the information as to each of the
multiple different functional modes with the associated color.
An imaging apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect of the
present invention is characterized in that the information display
portion for each functional mode, at least, includes a basic
information display group for displaying basic information for
imaging and a special information display group for displaying
special information, and the display control portion controls the
information display portion so that the basic information display
group is depicted with an intense color while the special
information display group is depicted with a non-intense color.
An imaging apparatus according to the sixth or seventh aspect of
the present invention is characterized in that the information
display portion for each functional mode is, at least, composed of
a basic information display group for displaying basic information
for imaging and a special information display group for displaying
special information in a background color, and the display control
portion controls the information display portion so that the basic
information display group is depicted with a color having a large
color difference from the background color while the special
information display group is depicted with a color having a small
color difference from the background color.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the overall configuration of a
digital copier having a control panel;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the image processor contained in
a digital copier;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the operation control
configuration of a central processing unit governing individual
units in the entire digital copier;
FIG. 4 is an outline showing an example of the control panel in a
digital copier;
FIG. 5 is a management table showing the preset hues representing
various functional modes;
FIG. 6 is an external outline showing the display frame in copy
mode;
FIG. 7 is an outline showing the display frame in facsimile
mode;
FIG. 8 is an outline showing the display frame in printer mode;
FIG. 9 is an outline showing the display frame in scanner mode;
and
FIG. 10 is an outline showing the display frame in which all the
functional modes are displayed in a superimposed manner.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The embodiment comprises, for example, a digital imaging apparatus
having a copy mode, printer mode, facsimile mode etc. FIG. 1 is a
sectional view showing the overall configuration of a digital
imaging apparatus having a control panel. This imaging apparatus is
a digital copier 10, which is mainly composed of a scanner portion
11 for reading an original image and a laser recording portion 12
for forming an image and recording it on a sheet.
Scanner portion 11 comprises an original table 15 made up of
transparent glass; a reversible automatic document feeder (RADF) 16
automatically feeding originals to original table 15, and a scanner
unit 20 or original image reading unit for scanning the image of
the original placed on original table 15 to capture the original
image. The original image captured by scanner portion 11 is sent to
the image data input portion, which will be described later, where
the image data is subjected to the designated image processing.
RADF 16 has a stack of original documents placed on its
unillustrated original tray and automatically feeds the originals
thus set, sheet by sheet, onto original table 15 in scanner unit
20. RADF 16, in order to enable scanner unit 20 to read one side or
both sides of the original document in accordance with the
operator's choice, comprises a sheet feed path for single-sided
originals, a sheet feed path for double-sided originals, a feed
path switching means, a group of sensors for monitoring and
controlling the state of originals passing through different sites,
a controller and the like. Since there conventionally have been
many applications and many commercial models concerning RADF 16, no
further explanation will be made.
Scanner unit 20 constituting scanner portion 11 for reading the
image of the original placed on original table 15 comprises a lamp
reflector assembly 21 for radiating the original surface with
light, a first scan unit 20a having a first reflective mirror 22a
reflecting the light reflected from the original to a photoelectric
converting device (CCD 24), a second scan unit 20b having second
and third reflective mirrors 22b and 22c for guiding the light
reflected from the first reflective mirror 22a to CCD 24, an
optical lens 23 for focusing the reflected light from the original
passing through the above reflective mirrors, onto CCD 24 for
converting the light into an electric image signal, a CCD 24
already mentioned for converting the reflected image from the
original into an electric image signal.
Scanner portion 11 is configured to pick up original images by
moving scanner unit 20 along the underside of original table 15
whilst successively placing the originals to be read, on original
table 15 by the associated operation of RADF 16 and scanner unit
20. Specifically, the scan is controlled in such a manner that
first scan unit 20a moves at a constant velocity V from the left to
the right along the original table 15 while second scan unit 20b
moves at half the rate of the velocity V, i.e., V/2, in parallel in
the same direction. Thus, the image of the original placed on
original table 15 is focused onto CCD 24 so that it successively
reads the information of the original image line by line.
The image data thus obtained by reading the original image through
scanner unit 20, is transferred to the image processor to be
described later, where various types of processing are performed.
Then, the data is temporarily stored in the memory of the image
processor. The image data stored in the memory is loaded in
accordance with the output instructions and transferred to a laser
printer portion 12 where the image is produced on the sheet for
recording. Laser printer portion 12 comprises a conveying system
for conveying sheets as the recording material on which the image
is formed and image forming portion 27 for forming images. Image
forming portion 27 has a laser writing unit 26 and an
electrophotographic processing unit 28 for forming images.
Laser writing unit 26, comprises a semiconductor laser beam source
for emitting laser beams in accordance with the image data which
has been captured in the memory by scanner unit 20 and is loaded
therefrom, or in accordance with the image data transferred from an
external apparatus, a polygonal mirror for deflecting the laser
beam at an equi-angular velocity, and an f-theta lens for
correcting the scanning laser beam deflected at an equi-angular
velocity so that the laser beam having passed therethrough scans at
a constant velocity the photosensitive drum constituting
electrophotographic process unit 28.
Electrophotographic processing unit 28, as is well known, includes
a charger, developing unit, transfer device, separator, cleaning
unit and charge erasing unit, all provided around the
photosensitive drum.
The sheet conveying system comprises: a sheet conveyer portion for
conveying a sheet P to the aforementioned electrophotographic
processing unit 28 for image forming, specifically, the transfer
station where a transfer device is arranged; cassette feeders 31
and 32 for feeding a sheet P to the aforementioned sheet conveyer
portion; a manual paper feeder 34 for feeding a sheet of a desired
size as appropriate; fixing unit 29 for fixing the toner image or
the image formed on sheet P after transfer; and a re-feeding path
33 for re-feeding sheet P in order to form another image on the
rear side of sheet P with an image fixed on one side thereof.
Provided on the downstream side of fixing unit 29 is a
post-processing unit 14 receiving the sheet P with an image
recorded thereon and subjecting it to the designated process.
By the functions of laser writing unit 26 and electrophotographic
processing portion 28 in image forming portion 27, the image data
loaded from the image memory is supplied to laser writing unit 26
where the laser beam is processed to thereby so as to scan the
photosensitive drum and hence form an electrostatic latent image on
the surface of the photosensitive or drum in electrophotographic
processing unit 28. Then, the latent image is visualized with
toner, and the toner image is electrostatically transferred and
fixed onto the surface of the sheet which has been fed from one of
the paper feeders in the multi-paper feeder unit.
The paper with an image thus formed thereon is conveyed from fixing
unit 29 via a discharging roller 37 into post-processing unit
14.
(Explanation of the Circuits in the Image Processor)
Next, the configuration and function of the image processor for
performing image processing of the original image information thus
captured, in digital copier 10 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the image processor contained in
digital copier 10 shown in FIG. 1. This image processor comprises:
an image data input portion 40; an image processing portion 41; an
image data output portion 42; a storage 43 made up of RAM (random
access memory), hard disks etc.; and a central processing unit
(CPU) 44.
Image data input portion 40 has a CCD unit 40a, a histogram
processing portion 40b and an error diffusion processor 40c. Image
data input portion 40 binarizes the image data of the original read
through CCD 24, so as to produce a histogram of the digital binary
data and processes the image data based on the error diffusion
method and temporarily stores it into memory 43. More specifically,
in CCD portion 40a, the analog electric signal corresponding to
image densities in the image data is A/D converted and the
converted data is subjected to the MT correction, B/W correction or
gamma correction so as to be output as a digital signal of 256
levels of gradations (8 bits) to histogram processing portion
40b.
In histogram processing portion 40b, the digital signal output from
CCD portion 40a is added to every level of density, made up of 256
levels of gradations, so as to produce density information
(histogram data). The thus obtained histogram data is sent to CPU
44, as required, or sent to error diffusion processing portion 40c
as pixel data.
Error diffusion processing portion 40c converts the digital signal
of 8 bits per pixel output from CCD portion 40a into one bit
(binary) based on the error diffusion method, one of pseudo
intermediate processing, i.e., the method of using the binary error
to determine binary values for neighboring pixels, so as to perform
re-distributing computation for achieving exact and fine
reproduction of local area density in the original.
Image processing portion 41 includes multi-level processors 41a and
41b, a composition processor 41c, a density converting processor
41d, a magnification varying processor 41e, a pixel processor 41f,
an error diffusion processor 41g and a compressing processor
41h.
Image processing portion 41 is the processor which completes the
conversion from the input image data into that desired by the
operator. That is, the input data is processed through this
processor until the completely converted output image data is
stored into memory 43. It should be noted that the above processing
sections contained in image processing portion 41 will operate as
required or may not operate at all. Multi-level processors 41a and
41b revert the binary data which was binarized through error
diffusion processor 40c, to 256 levels of data.
Composition processor 41c selectively performs logical operations
for every pixel, i.e., logical sum, logical product or exclusive
OR. The pixel data stored in memory 43 and the bit data from the
pattern generator (PG) are the target of the logical operations.
Density converting processor 41d sets up an arbitrary relationship
between the input density and output density for the signal of 256
levels of data, based on the predetermined gradation converting
table.
Magnification varying processor 41e performs interpolation of the
known input data in accordance with the designated magnification
ratio so as to determine the data (density values) of pixels for
the associated pixels after magnification change. This
magnification change is performed first, along the auxiliary scan
direction and then along the main scan direction. Pixel processor
41f performs a variety of image processings to the input pixel data
and also collects information on the data stream, such as
extracting the features of the data. Error diffusion processor 41g
performs a similar process to that implemented in error diffusion
processor 40c of image data input portion 40. Compressing processor
41h compresses the binary data based on the run-length coding. For
the compression of the image data, the compression starts to
function at final processing loop after the final output image data
is completed.
Image data output portion 42 includes: a restoring section 42a; a
multi-level processor 42b; an error diffusion processor 42c; and a
laser output section 42d. Image data output portion 42 restores the
image data stored in memory 43 in compressed form, back to the
original state, i.e., 256 tonal levels. This image data output
portion performs error diffusion based on 4-levels of data which
produces a gentler halftone representation than that of binary data
and transfers the data to laser output section 42d.
Accordingly, restoring section 42a restores the image data which
was compressed through compressing processor 41h, to the original
state. Multi-level processor 42b performs a similar process to that
implemented in multi-level processors 41a and 41b. Error diffusion
processor 42c performs a similar process to that implemented in
error diffusion processor 40c in image data input portion 40. Laser
output section 42d, based on the control signal from an
unillustrated sequence controller, converts digital pixel data into
the on/off signal for the laser so as to activate or deactivate the
semiconductor laser in laser writing unit 26 (FIG. 1), thus
producing a static latent image on the photosensitive drum 28.
The data handled in image data input portion 40 and image data
output section 42 is basically stored in memory 43 in the form of
binary data in order to save the capacity of memory 43. However, it
is also possible to process the data in the form of 4-levels of
data, taking into account the degradation of the image data.
(Explanation of the Control Configuration of the Whole Digital
Copier)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a central processing unit (CPU) 44
controlling the operations of all the components of digital copier
10 (FIG. 1). Explanation concerning CCD 24, image data input
portion 40, image processing portion 41, image data output portion
42, image memory 43 and central processing unit (CPU) 44 is
contained in FIG. 3, is omitted to avoid repetition.
Central processing unit 44 controls drive components constituting
digital copier 10 shown in FIG. 1, such as RADF 16, scanner portion
11 and laser printer portion 12, by sequence control and outputs
control signals to each of them. Central processing unit 44 is
connected with a control panel 45 in an inter-communicable manner
so that control signals in accordance with the copy mode designated
by the operator are transferred to central processing unit 44 to
thereby operate digital copier 10 in accordance with the setup
mode.
A control signal indicating the operating state of the digital
copier is transferred from central processing unit 44 to control
panel 45. Based on this signal, control panel 45 displays the
operating state, i.e., in what state the copier is, to the
operator, by means of the display portion, etc.
Designated at 46 is a sorter control unit, which controls the
operation of the post-processing unit which implements sorting of
the copies output from digital copier 10 or other operations.
Designated at 47 is an image data communicating unit for providing
information exchange of image data, image control signals etc.,
with other digital image appliances.
FIG. 4 shows the control panel of digital copier 10.
Arranged in the center of this control panel is a touch panel type
liquid crystal display device 56. This panel has a group of mode
setup keys arranged on the periphery thereof. On the screen of
touch-type LCD device 56, the basic start frame is constantly
displayed to allow for mode selection. When an area representing a
desired mode is directly pressed with the finger, the display on
the LCD screen changes successively so that the user can select one
of the modes. An editing function can be set up when the operator
touches with their finger the area where the desired function is
displayed.
The layout of the setting keys arranged on the control panel will
be briefly described.
Designated by 64 is a control guide key for displaying the control
method of the screen; 65 a number keypad for inputting numerical
information such as the copy number etc.; 66 a cut-in key for
permitting a different copy mode to be cut into the currently
processing copy mode; 67 a clear key for clearing the conditions
set up through the numeric keypad etc.; 68 an reset key for
canceling and reverting the setting state of the digital copier to
the standard state; and 69 a start key for starting the operation
in the mode setup through these keys. The three keys arranged on
the left side on control panel 45 are mode selectors for facsimile
mode 70, printer mode 71 and copy mode 72, from the top to the
bottom, respectively.
The control panel and the keys arranged on the control panel
presented here are just an example, and the arrangement of keys on
the control panel will needless to say be different depending upon
the functions installed to the digital copier.
Next, display states of the information associated with multiple
imaging modes in the present invention will be described by taking
an example of a digital multi-functional machine (digital copier
10).
As stated above, the digital multi-functional machine (digital
copier 10) has multiple functional modes of processing image
information, such as copy mode, facsimile mode, printer mode (the
mode in which image is formed based on the image data sent from an
external appliance) and scanner mode (the mode in which the image
data captured by a scanner is transmitted to a specific external
appliance).
As illustrated with FIG. 4, provided on control panel 45 of this
digital multi-functional machine (digital copier) is a color LCD
device 56 having a color display element as a means for providing a
variety of information to the user. Central processing unit 44
(FIG. 3) controls LCD device 56 on control panel 45 so as to
display information and causes image forming portion 27 (FIG. 1) to
form an image in accordance with the input conditions set by the
operator and record the image on a sheet of paper. This color
display device 56 is manipulated so as to make understandable to
the user the guidance display of the information as to the
aforementioned different functional modes.
Now, the manipulation for guidance display will be described.
FIG. 5 is a management table showing the preset hues representing
individual functional modes in this digital multi-functional
machine (digital copier 10). This control table is stored in memory
43 (FIG. 2) so that central processing unit 44 causes LCD device 56
(FIG. 4) to perform display based on the hues of this table.
Description herein will be made on the assumption that green
designates the copy mode, red the facsimile mode, blue the printer
mode and yellow the scanner mode. However, the colors representing
different modes can be interchangeable or can be set at will.
(The Display Frame in Copy Mode)
FIG. 6 shows the display frame in copy mode. This frame is
configured of sets of information relating to the copy mode over a
green background 100.
An external outline 101 of the digital copier is displayed in the
approximately right area in background 100 so as to allow for
confirmation of the current status of digital copier 10 such as the
recording paper size, the conditions of peripherals, and the like.
Displayed in the approximately center in background frame 100 are
an information item 102 as to the image magnification conversion
and a key set 103 for setting the magnification conditions.
Further, displayed in the approximately lower left area in
background frame 100 are an information item 104 as to the image
density conversion and a key set 105 for setting the image density
conditions. Displayed in the approximately upper left area in
background frame 100 are an duplex copy key 106 and edition key 107
for designating image processing. Once this duplex copy key 106 or
edition key 107 is operated, the basic display frame switches into
a detailed setting frame for the duplex mode or edition mode so as
to allow for setting of detailed items as to the selected mode.
In the display frame shown in FIG. 6, the information display means
(detailed information items in copy mode and key sets for setting
the details in the copy mode) displayed in green background 100
should be depicted with a color which is modified as to brightness
and/or chroma with respect to the green hue of the background
frame. This allows the user to readily understand that the frame
indicates the information (information items and the contents of
the key sets) as to the copy mode.
Further, if among the information item indicators and key sets
displayed in background frame 100, information item indicators 102
and 104 and key sets 103 and 105 for magnification, density and the
like, which are basic for the imaging operation may be represented
with an intense color, for example a dark color, while special
information item indicators 106, 107 and key sets for edition and
duplex copy, which are not frequently selected may be represented
with a non-intense color, for example a light color, so that the
display will appear hierarchically in color and the display
contents will be easily understandable to the user.
Alternatively, if among the information and key sets displayed in
background frame 100, basic information item indicators 102 and 104
and key sets 103 and 105 for magnification, density and the like
may be represented with a color having a large color difference
from that of background frame 100 while special information item
indicators 106, 107 and key sets for duplex copy, edition and the
like, which are not frequently selected may be represented with a
color having a small color difference from that of background frame
100, so that the display will appear hierarchically in color and
the display contents will be visually easily understandable to the
user.
(The Display Frame in Facsimile Mode)
FIG. 7 shows the display frame in facsimile mode. This frame is
configured of sets of information relating to variational modes
over a red background 200.
An external outline 201 of the digital copier is displayed in the
approximately right area in background 200, so as to allow for
confirmation of the current status of this digital copier such as
the recording paper size, the conditions of peripherals, and the
like. Displayed in the approximately center in background frame 200
are a key for designating the image quality of the sending
originals with a display portion 202 for confirmation of the set
condition (image quality), a key for designating the image density
of the sending originals with a display portion 203 for
confirmation of the set condition (image density), a key for
designating the output size of the sending originals with a display
portion 204 for confirmation of the set condition (size), and a
command key for allowing for switching into another frame for
setting a special transmission mode. Once this special transmission
mode key 205 is operated, transit functions other than the basic
transmission mode such as confidential transmission, broadcast,
etc. can be set up. Addressee information such as names and
addresses to which originals are to be sent are displayed in a
successive manner in the approximately lower left area in
background frame 200 so as to allow the user to select desired
addressees from the display.
In the display frame shown in FIG. 7, the detailed information as
to the facsimile mode and a group of keys designating the details
in the facsimile mode, displayed in red background 200 should be
depicted with a color which is modified as to brightness and/or
chroma with respect to the red hue of the background frame. This
provides easy visual understanding to the user that the frame
indicates the display information as to facsimile mode.
Further, if among the information and key sets displayed in
background frame 200, information item indicators and key sets as
to addressees, which are basic for the imaging operation may be
represented with an intense color, for example a dark color, while
special information item indicators such as transmission mode etc.,
which are not frequently selected may be represented with
non-intense color, for example a light color, so that the display
will appear hierarchically in color and the display contents will
be easily, visually understandable to the user.
Alternatively, if among the information and key sets displayed in
background frame 200, information item indicators and key sets as
to addressees, which are basic for the imaging operation may be
represented with a color having a large color difference from that
of background frame 200 while special information item indicators
and key sets for transmission mode and the like, which are not
frequently selected may be represented with a color having a small
color difference from that of background frame 200, so that the
display will appear hierarchically in color and the display
contents will be visually easily understandable to the user.
(The Display Frame in Printer Mode)
FIG. 8 shows the display frame in printer mode. This frame is
configured of sets of information relating to variational mode over
a blue background 300.
An external outline 301 of the digital copier is displayed in the
approximately right area in background 300 so as to allow for
confirmation of the current status of this digital copier such as
the recording paper size, the conditions of peripherals, and the
like. Displayed in the approximately center in background frame 300
are a key set 302 for scrolling the list of jobs if multiple
printer jobs exit and cannot be viewed all at once and a job clear
key 303 for clearing a job displayed in the list.
Further, displayed in the approximately left area in background
frame 300 is a contents display 304 of a series of detailed
information as to individual print jobs which have been loaded and
displayed by using the aforementioned scroll key set 302. Once a
desired one is selected by touch and then job clear key 303 is
pressed, an arbitrary job can be cleared.
In the display frame shown in FIG. 8, the detailed information as
to the printer mode and a group of keys designating the details in
the printer mode, displayed in blue background 300 should be
depicted with a color which is modified as to brightness and/or
chroma with respect to the blue hue of the background frame. This
provides easy visual understanding to the user that the frame
indicates the information as to printer mode.
Further, if among the information item indicators and key sets
displayed in background frame 300, basic information such as
contents display 304 of the detailed job information, scroll key
302 and the like may be represented with an intense color, for
example a dark color, while special key sets such as job clear key
303 etc., which are not frequently selected may be represented with
a non-intense color, for example a light color, so that the display
will appear hierarchically in color and the display contents will
be easily, visually understandable to the user.
Alternatively, if among the information and key sets displayed in
background frame 300, basic information such as contents display
304 of the detailed job information, scroll key 302 and the like
may be represented with a color having a large color difference
from that of background frame 300 while job clear key 303 and other
keys which are not frequently selected may be represented with a
color having a small color difference from that of background frame
300, so that the display will appear hierarchically in color, and
the display contents will be visually easily understandable to the
user.
(The Display Frame in Scanner Mode)
FIG. 9 shows the display frame in scanner mode. This frame is
configured of sets of information relating to variational modes
over an yellow background 400.
An external outline 401 of the digital copier is displayed in the
approximately right area in background 400, so as to allow for
confirmation of the current status of this digital copier such as
the recording paper size, the conditions of peripherals, and the
like. Further, displayed in the approximately central area in
background frame 400 are a scroll key set 402 for scrolling
multiple pieces of sending address information, a transmission key
403 for commanding transmission of the original image information
captured by the scanner to arbitrarily designated addressees, and a
clear key 404 for clearing the transmission command.
Addressees information contents 405 such as names and addresses to
which the original image information is to be sent are displayed in
a successive manner in the approximately left area in background
frame 400 so as to allow the user to select desired addressees from
those displayed. In this scanner mode, differing from the facsimile
mode, the image information of scanned originals is transmitted to
a particular external information processing apparatus by way of
the intra-network, i.e., local area network (LAN), the internet,
etc.
In the display frame shown in FIG. 9, the contents display 405 of
addressee information in the scanner mode and transmission command
key 403 displayed in yellow background 400 should be depicted with
a color which is modified as to brightness and/or chroma with
respect to the yellow hue of the background frame. This provides
easy visual understanding to the user that the frame indicates the
information as to scanner mode.
Further, if among the information and key sets displayed in
background frame 400, basic information contents display such as
addressees etc., and key sets 403 may be represented with an
intense color, for example a dark color, while mode clear key 404
and the like which are not frequently selected may be represented
with a non-intense color, for example a light color, so that the
display will appear hierarchically in color and the display
contents will be easily, visually understandable to the user.
Alternatively, if among the information item indicators and key
sets displayed in background frame 400, basic information contents
display such as addressees etc., and key sets 403 may be
represented with a color having a large color difference from that
of background frame 400 while mode clear key 404 and the like which
are not frequently selected may be represented with a color having
a small color difference from that of background frame 400, so that
the display will appear hierarchically in color and the display
contents will be visually easily understandable to the user.
(Other Considerations)
In the above description, though the information table relating to
a single mode is displayed on the color LCD device, it is necessary
to make the user easily understand that the apparatus will handle
multiple pieces of image information in parallel since the digital
multi-functional machine (digital copier 10) has a function of
handling multiple pieces of image information in parallel.
For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 10, in order to show the
presence of a multiple number of image information functions to be
handled as the multi-functional machine, the information tables for
individual functional modes displayed by different hues (colors)
are three-dimensionally superimposed one over another and each
information table of a functional mode represented by a different
hue (color) is provided with a tab 501 so that all the tabs in the
upper part are always displayed. The display of tabs 501 provides
information as to what kinds of functions the apparatus has. In the
case of FIG. 10, copy, printer 1, printer 2, facsimile and scanner
modes can be effected in parallel.
When a desired tab 501 is touched (pressed), the information table
of the function comes to appear to the frontmost layer on the
display screen, allowing the user to check the conditions of the
function.
According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, as the
means for displaying information as to each of multiple imaging
modes, the information as to each mode is displayed in a guidance
manner with a hue different from that in other modes while the
information relating to the mode is depicted with a color which is
modified as to brightness and/or chroma with respect to the hue.
Therefore, it is possible to provide easily understandable guidance
display (view) of an imaging mode to be engaged henceforward and
the information as to the mode.
When the apparatus is in a state where imaging can be effected in
multiple different functional modes, at least, partial guidance
display of the information as to each of the multiple different
functional modes is displayed in the display portion. Therefore, it
is possible to simply grasp the information as to the imaging to be
processed henceforward.
Since the information as to each mode displayed in the display
device is displayed in the background of a color different from
that in other modes while the basic information which is selected
frequently (to be marked) is depicted with an intense color, for
example a dark color, and the special information which is not
frequently selected is depicted with a non-intense color, for
example a light color, this configuration provides easy information
confirmation and hence improved operativity while eliminating waste
operations due to erroneous setting.
Since the information as to each mode displayed in the display
device is displayed in the background of a color different from
that in other modes while the basic information which is selected
frequently (to be marked) is depicted with a color having a large
color difference from the background color and the special
information which is not frequently selected is depicted with a
color having a small color difference from the background, this
configuration provides easy information confirmation and hence
improved operativity while eliminating waste operations due to
erroneous setting.
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